Police have shelved their investigation into the vicious gang attack on father-of-three Gary Hayward.

Detectives investigating the unsolved attack on Mr Hayward on October 2, 2011, from which he has never fully recovered, say they do not have sufficent evidence to charge anyone and have currently exhausted all lines of inquiry.

Mr Hayward, 29, was viciously beaten trying to protect his dad from a gang of youths armed with metal poles and baseball bats, in Central Parade.

His father, who had been bullied for months by a gang, suffered head injuries in the attack but was discharged from hospital a few days later.

Mr Hayward is now blind in one eye, unable to talk and requires full time care in a rehabilitation centre.

Police have been given the names of those the family believe were responsible but no one has been charged during the investigation, lasting almost two years.

It was hoped a BBC Crimewatch appeal and reward of £20,000 offered in April would provide the key breakthrough in the investigation.

But the police this week confirmed with Mr Hayward's family officers have no active lines of inquiry, but the investigation remains open.

Speaking the day after the appeal was aired, Detective Inspector Simon Harding, leading the investigation, said they had received more than 30 calls, with six names of potential suspects being mentioned more than once.

But there is currently insufficient evidence to get a conviction in court.

Mr Hayward's mother, Wendie, said she had received a phone call from a police officer giving her the news updating her on the investigation.

She spoke of her anger that her son's attackers could never be convicted.

She wrote on the New Addington Pathfinders Facebook page: "I think its disgusting that we call ourselves a community sticking together yet there's people not willing to hand these yobs in because they either know them or are scared of them."

She said she would not give up her search for justice, and would wait 20 years like Stephen Lawrence's family, if necessary.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Officers have no active lines of inquiry but the investigation remains open."

Detective Inspector, Simon Harding, leading the investigation, said: "Crimes of this nature are never closed and we would urge anyone with new information to come forward and it will be treated with upmost importance."

Anyone with information or witnesses to the assault on Mr Hayward  is urged to call Croydon CID on 020 3276 2264 , the police non-emergency line 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.